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Schumacher plays down W01 update hype

Michael Schumacher will have an updated Mercedes in Spain © Getty Images

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• Race:
• Spanish Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Michael Schumacher has played down the hype surrounding Mercedes' updates for the Spanish Grand Prix.

After the first four races of the season, Schumacher has scored just 10 points and been consistently outpaced by his team-mate Nico Rosberg. He has struggled with a lack of front-end grip to suit his driving style and modifications to the car for the next grand prix are expected to target that. However, Schumacher does not think the updates will be enough to allow him to fight at the front.

"The European season is about to kick off and now we will see how our developments look in relation to those of the other teams," said Schumacher. "I see a lot of potential here especially as our team has been reacting very well over the past four races. We have worked on general improvements to the car, as well as specific developments in downforce and efficiency, and I am confident that we have room to make further progress in the future.

"Our step forward in Barcelona will be bigger than you can make at each race during the flyaways but it would not be realistic to expect us to suddenly be competing right at the front. I am hoping for a better race in Barcelona than I had in China and of course I would not mind having had better results so far. However, the good news is that after three years away, I am feeling extremely motivated. So I am clearly ready to take this challenge."

Team principal Ross Brawn was keen to point out that the Barcelona updates are the "first step" in the car's development.

"Everyone at our factories in Brackley and Brixworth has worked extremely hard to ensure that the cars and our new developments are ready for Barcelona following the delayed return from China and we look forward to evaluating the impact on our pace whilst remaining conscious that this is very much a first step in improving our competitiveness," he said. In addition to a major aerodynamic and bodywork package, we have made changes to the wheelbase of the car which will help the overall handling and weight distribution. Michael will use a different chassis for Barcelona as we take the opportunity of having the cars back at the factory after the flyaway races to repair some damage to his original chassis. He will switch to our first chassis which was previously used during the pre-season tests."

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